JP5298995B2 - License management system, image processing apparatus, information processing apparatus, license management method, and license management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage license of an image processing apparatus even when an owner or the like of the image processing apparatus is changed. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus includes: an information change detection part 152 for detecting a change in setting information; a first confirmation part 153 which, when the change in the setting information is detected, makes a request to inquire about a global IP address of the image processing apparatus to an inquiry server and receives a notification of the global IP address; a second confirmation part which transmits the received global IP address to an address management server for managing the global IP address in association with a domain name, outputs an inquiry request of the domain name of the image processing apparatus and notifies of the domain name; a domain name change detection part 158 which determines whether the received domain name is the same domain name indicated by the setting information obtained before detecting the change, and when both the domain names are different from each other, detects the change of the domain name; and a license management part 155 which, when the change is detected, invalidates the license of software installed in the image processing apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a license management system, an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a license management method, and a license management program for managing a license of an image processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, a license of software installed in an information processing apparatus including an image processing apparatus is stored in the information processing apparatus, and a valid state of the license is confirmed every time the information processing apparatus is used. As a result of checking the valid state, a license management method is known that can be used as it is when it is valid and cannot be used when it is invalid.

  As one of the license management methods, the IPv6 address of the customer device is recorded at the time of sale, and the validity status of the license is confirmed by comparing with the IPv6 address extracted from the packet received after the customer environment setting, and the service provision is determined. A method has been developed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, when the owner of the image processing apparatus changes, for example, when the image processing apparatus is sold or transferred, the user of the license of the installed software is different from the original contractor. There was a problem that it would be impossible to grasp the actual user as a software manufacturer.

  Further, when the customer's IP address cannot be determined at the time of sale, for example, when DHCP is used in an IPv4 environment, there is a problem that user management cannot be performed because management information cannot be constructed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and the image processing apparatus can be used even when the setting information such as the owner of the image processing apparatus and the installation location has been changed since the initial sale of the image processing apparatus. A license management system, an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a license management method, and a license management program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a license management server that manages licenses and an image server that is connected to a query server that notifies a global IP address in response to a query of a global IP address via a network. A storage unit that stores setting information of the image processing device, an information change detection unit that detects a change in the setting information, and a change in the setting information that is detected by the inquiry server. A first confirmation unit that makes an inquiry request for a global IP address of an image processing apparatus and receives a notification of the global IP address from the inquiry server, the received global IP address, and a global IP address associated with a domain name Sent to the address management server to be managed, inquires the domain name of the image processing apparatus, A second confirmation unit that receives the notification of the domain name from the address management server, and compares whether or not the received domain name is the same as the domain name indicated by the setting information before a change is detected And a change detection unit that detects that the domain name has been changed when they are not the same, and a license for software installed in the image processing apparatus when it is detected that the domain name has been changed. And a license management unit to be invalidated.

  The present invention also relates to a license management server that manages a license, a query server that notifies a global IP address in response to a query of a global IP address, and an information processing apparatus connected to an image processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus A storage unit that stores setting information of an image processing apparatus connected to the information processing unit; an information change detection unit that detects a change in the setting information; and a change in the setting information is detected. A first confirmation unit that requests a global IP address of a device and receives a notification of the global IP address from the inquiry server, and manages the received global IP address in association with a global IP address and a domain name Send to the address management server, make a query request for the domain name of the image processing device, and the address A second confirmation unit that receives the notification of the domain name from the management server, and compares whether the received domain name is the same as the domain name indicated by the setting information before a change is detected; A change detection unit that detects that the domain name has been changed if they are not the same, and invalidates a license of software installed in the image processing apparatus when it is detected that the domain name has been changed And a license management unit.

  Further, the present invention is a query server that notifies a global IP address in response to a query of a global IP address connected to the image processing device via a network, and the query server receives the global IP address from the image processing device. A remote host IP address acquisition unit is provided that acquires, from an external server, a global IP address of the image processing apparatus that has transmitted the inquiry request when an address inquiry request is received.

  The present invention is also a license management method executed by an image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores setting information of the image processing apparatus, and information for detecting a change in the setting information A change detection step, and when a change in the setting information is detected, inquires the global IP address of the image processing apparatus to an inquiry server that notifies the global IP address in response to the inquiry of the global IP address, and the inquiry server An IP address confirmation step for receiving a notification of the global IP address from the server, and transmitting the received global IP address to an address management server that manages the global IP address in association with a domain name. Inquires about the name and receives notification of the domain name from the address management server Domain name confirmation step and whether or not the received domain name is the same as the domain name indicated by the setting information before the change is detected, and if not, the domain name is changed A domain name change detecting step for detecting the change, and a license management step for invalidating a license of software installed in the image processing apparatus when it is detected that the domain name has been changed. It is characterized by.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus, an inquiry server that is connected to the image processing apparatus via a network and notifies a global IP address in response to a global IP address inquiry, and a license management server that manages a license. The image processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores setting information of the image processing apparatus, an information change detection unit that detects a change in the setting information, and a change in the setting information is detected. A first confirmation unit that requests the inquiry server for a global IP address of the image processing apparatus and receives a notification of the global IP address from the inquiry server, and the received global IP address, Send the global IP address to the address management server that manages the domain name in association with the domain name. A second confirmation unit that makes an inquiry request for the domain name of the image processing apparatus and receives the notification of the domain name from the address management server, and the received domain name is indicated by the setting information before a change is detected A change detection unit for comparing whether or not the domain name is the same, and detecting that the domain name has been changed when the domain name is not the same; A license management unit that invalidates a license of software installed in the processing apparatus, and the inquiry server receives the inquiry request for the global IP address from the image processing apparatus when the inquiry request is received. A remote host IP address acquisition unit that acquires the global IP address of the transmitted image processing apparatus from an external server; And butterflies.

  According to the present invention, a license management server that manages licenses and a computer connected via a network to a query server that notifies a global IP address in response to a query of a global IP address store a setting information of the image processing apparatus. Means for detecting a change in the setting information, and when a change in the setting information is detected, the inquiry server requests the inquiry server for a global IP address of the image processing apparatus, and the inquiry server A first confirmation unit that receives the notification of the global IP address; and the received global IP address is transmitted to an address management server that manages the global IP address in association with a domain name, and the domain of the image processing apparatus Name request, and the domain from the address management server The second confirmation means for receiving the notification is compared with whether or not the received domain name is the same as the domain name indicated by the setting information before a change is detected. A change detection means for detecting that the name has been changed, and a license management means for invalidating the license of the software installed in the image processing apparatus when it is detected that the domain name has been changed. The computer is caused to function.

  According to the present invention, when the setting information such as the owner / installation location of the image processing apparatus is changed, the license issuer who is the manufacturer of the software is actually detected by detecting the change and invalidating the installed software. There is an effect that it is possible to keep track of the software users at all times.

  In addition, according to the present invention, even when the IP address of the image processing apparatus cannot be determined at the time of sale, the setting information of the image processing apparatus is registered, and when the change of the setting information is detected, the installed software is invalidated. The software license issuer can always keep track of the software user.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the license management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining the configuration of the license management control service 131 in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a setting information data table of the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a license management process performed by the license management control service 131 in the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing of each device connected to the license management system. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multi-function peripheral 700 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the configuration of the MFP 700 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the license management system 2 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram for explaining the configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine according to the first to third embodiments.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a license management system to which the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment is connected. As shown in FIG. 1, the license management system includes a multifunction peripheral 100, a license management server 300, an inquiry server 400, and an IP address management server 500, which are connected via a network 80 such as the Internet. ing. Note that the multifunction peripheral 100 connected to the license management server 300 may be a plurality of multifunction peripherals 100 (hereinafter, an unspecified multifunction peripheral is simply referred to as a multifunction peripheral 100).

  The license management server 300 is a device that manages a license (usage right) of software installed in the multifunction peripheral 100 via the information processing device 200. Specifically, the license of software installed in the multifunction device 100 is validated or invalidated based on the license file stored in each multifunction device 100 or the setting information of the multifunction device 100. Here, the license file is data in which a software license is described.

  The license management server 300 mainly includes a communication unit 301 that communicates with the network 80, a control unit 302 that operates license information, and a license information storage unit 303 that stores license information.

  The inquiry server 400 acquires a global IP address of the MFP 100 that has transmitted the inquiry request by connecting to a whois server that is an external organization and executing a search in response to the inquiry request from the MFP 100. The acquired global IP address is notified to the MFP 100.

  The inquiry server 400 includes a communication unit 402 that communicates with the network 80, a determination unit 403 that determines an IP address used during communication from the MFP 100 that has transmitted a global IP address inquiry request, and communication processing and domain information. Alternatively, it mainly includes a control unit 401 that acquires registration information from a whois server.

  The IP address management server 500 searches for a domain name corresponding to the global IP address of the MFP 100 that has transmitted the inquiry request in response to the inquiry request from the MFP 100, and stores the verified domain name in the MFP 100. Send.

  The IP address management server 500 stores the communication unit 501 communicating with the network 80 and the global IP address in association with the domain name or the global IP address in association with the registered name that is the name of the address owner. A storage unit 502 is mainly provided.

  Next, the overall functional configuration of the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment. The MFP 100 includes a black and white laser printer (B & W LP) 101, a color laser printer (Color LP) 102, a hard disk device (HDD (Hard Disk Drive)) 103, and hardware such as a scanner, a facsimile, a memory, and a network interface. A resource group 104 is included, and a software group 110 including a platform 120 and an application 130 is provided.

  The platform 120 interprets a processing request from an application and generates a hardware resource acquisition request, and a system resource manager that manages one or a plurality of hardware resources and arbitrates the acquisition request from the control service. (SRM) 123 and a general-purpose OS 121.

  The control service is formed of a plurality of service modules, and includes an SCS (system control service) 122, an ECS (engine control service) 124, an MCS (memory control service) 125, an OCS (operation panel control service) 126, and an FCS. (Fax Control Service) 127 and NCS (Network Control Service) 128. The platform 120 has an application program interface (API) that enables a processing request to be received from the application 130 using a predefined function.

  The general-purpose OS 121 is a general-purpose operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes the software of the platform 120 and the application 130 in parallel as processes.

  The process of the SRM 123 performs system control and resource management together with the SCS 122. The SRM123 process uses hardware resources such as engines such as a scanner unit and printer unit, memory, HDD file, and host I / O (Centro I / F, network I / F, IEEE 1394 I / F, RS232C I / F, etc.). Arbitration is performed according to the request from the upper layer to be used, and execution control is performed.

  Specifically, the SRM 123 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource is used. Tell the upper layer that it is possible. In addition, the SRM 123 performs use scheduling of hardware resources in response to a request from an upper layer, and directly executes request contents (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation, memory allocation, file generation, etc. by a printer engine). .

  The process of the SCS 122 performs application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, resource management, interrupt application control, and the like.

  The process of the ECS 124 controls the engine of the hardware resource 104 including a black and white laser printer (B & W LP) 101, a color laser printer (Color LP) 102, a scanner, a facsimile, and the like.

  The MCS 125 process acquires and releases an image memory, uses a hard disk device (HDD), compresses and decompresses image data, and the like.

  The FCS 127 process includes facsimile transmission / reception using PSTN / ISDN network from each application layer of the system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception. Provides an API to do.

  The NCS 128 process is a process for providing a service that can be commonly used for applications that require network I / O. Data received from the network side according to each protocol is distributed to each application, and data from the application. Mediation when sending to the network side.

  An NRS (New Remote Service) 129 transmits and receives processing requests and responses for methods of applications to be mutually implemented by a multifunction device or an information management device (device management device) in order to realize remote management by the IP address management server 500. It has a function. In order to realize NRS, protocols such as SOAP, HTTP, and FTP can be used.

  The license management control service 131 transmits various inquiry requests to the inquiry server 400 and the IP address management server 500 and notifies the license management server 300 of license information. Details will be described later.

  The process of the OCS 126 controls an operation panel (operation panel) serving as information transmission means between the operator (user) and the main body control. The OCS 126 obtains a key press (or touch operation) from the operation panel as a key event, and operates according to a request from the application 130 or the control service and a part of the OCS process that transmits a key event function corresponding to the obtained key to the SCS 122. A drawing function for drawing and outputting various screens on the panel, a function for controlling the operation panel, and the like are composed of pre-registered OCS library portions. The OCS library is mounted by being linked to each module of the application 130 and the control service. The OCS 126 may be configured to operate as a process, or the OCS 126 may be configured as an OCS library.

  The application 130 includes a printer application 111 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL), PCL, and postscript (PS), a copy application 112 that is a copy application, and a fax application 113 that is a facsimile application. A scanner application 114 as a scanner application, a network file application 115 as a network file application, a process inspection application 116 as a process inspection application, and a WEB server for a client terminal such as a PC connected to the Internet It has a WEB application 117 that operates as an (http server) and displays various screens on a WEB browser that operates on a client terminal.

  Each process of the application 130 and each process of the control service realize user services related to image forming processing such as copying, printers, scanners, and facsimiles while performing inter-process communication by calling functions, sending return values thereof, and sending and receiving messages. doing.

  As described above, the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of applications 130 and a plurality of control services, all of which operate as processes. In each of these processes, one or a plurality of threads are generated and parallel execution is performed in units of threads. The control service provides a common service to the application 130. For this reason, a large number of these processes perform a parallel operation and a parallel operation of threads to perform inter-process communication with each other. User services related to image forming processing such as copying, printers, scanners, and facsimiles are provided.

  Also, in the multifunction device 100, a third party such as a customer of the multifunction device 100 or a third vendor can develop and install the external application 172 in the application layer above the control service layer. The external application 172 is installed via the network by the license management control service 131.

  In the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment, a plurality of application 130 processes and a plurality of control service processes operate. However, the application 130 and the control service process have a single configuration. Is also possible. Each application 130 can be added or deleted for each application. That is, as described above, the external application 172 can be installed and can be uninstalled.

  Next, the configuration of the license management control service 131 will be described. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining the configuration of the license management control service 131 in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the license management control service 131 includes a communication unit 151, an information change detection unit 152, a first confirmation unit 153, a second confirmation unit 154, a license management unit 155, and a license status notification unit. 156, an IP address notification unit 157, and a domain name change detection unit 158.

  The information change detection unit 152 receives “default gateway address”, “registered in a data table (hereinafter referred to as“ setting information table ”) indicating setting information of the MFP 100 by user input or an external device. It is detected that either “proxy address” or “IP address” has been changed.

  Here, the setting information table of the multifunction machine 100 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a setting information table of the multi-function device 100. The setting information table is stored in the HDD 103.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the setting information table, stored data is associated with information names, and “default gateway address”, “proxy address”, “IP address”, “domain name”, and “registered name” are stored. Information of the multifunction device 100 is registered in each.

  The retained data is registered at the time of initial setting such as when the multifunction device 100 is purchased. On the other hand, the update data is automatically and manually updated from the stored data and set when the environment changes, such as when the installation location of the multifunction peripheral 100 changes.

  In addition, update data is also associated with the setting information table. When the update data is compared with the retained data, the “IP address” is changed in FIG.

  In this case, since the change of the IP address is a change confirmation target of the setting information by the information change detection unit 152, the information change detection unit 152 detects that the setting information of the multifunction device 100 has been changed.

  When the change detection unit 152 detects that one of the “default gateway address”, “proxy address”, and “IP address” in the setting information table has been changed, the first confirmation unit 153 communicates with the communication unit 151. The inquiry server 400 is inquired of the inquiry server 400 about the global IP address of the multifunction peripheral 100, and the IP address notification is received.

  The second confirmation unit 154 transmits the received global IP address of the multi-function device 100 to the IP address management server 500 via the communication unit 151, requests the domain name of the multi-function device 100, and receives the inquiry from the IP address management server 500. Receive domain name notifications.

  The communication unit 151 transmits a global IP address inquiry request to the inquiry server 400 in response to an instruction from the first confirmation unit 153, and receives the global IP address from the inquiry server 400. Further, in response to an instruction from the second confirmation unit 154, a domain name inquiry request is transmitted to the IP address management server 500 and a domain name is received from the IP address management server 500.

  The domain name change detection unit 158 compares whether or not the domain name received by the second confirmation unit 154 is the same as the domain name registered in the data stored in the setting information table. It is determined that the name has been changed, and the domain name change is detected.

  When the information change detection unit 152 detects a change in the domain name, the license management unit 155 invalidates the software license installed in the multifunction peripheral 100.

  When the license management unit 155 invalidates the license, the license status notification unit 156 notifies the license management server 300 that the license of the MFP 100 has been invalidated.

  When the IP address notification unit 157 receives the notification of the global IP address from the inquiry server 400, the IP address notification unit 157 notifies the connection source to which the multifunction peripheral 100 is connected by a network such as a LAN.

  Next, a procedure of license management processing by the license management control service 131 in the license management system will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of license management processing by the license management control service 131. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing processing of each device connected to the license management system.

  The information change detecting unit 152 stores retained data registered in the setting information table (hereinafter referred to as “held data”) and update data newly registered in the setting information table (hereinafter referred to as “update data”). ), There is a difference in any of “default gateway address”, “proxy address”, and “IP address”, and it is detected whether or not the retained data has been changed (step S10).

  If there is a difference between them and a change in the retained data is detected (step S10: Yes), the update data is stored in the HDD 103 (step S11).

  Here, the timing at which the information change detection unit 152 confirms the difference between the retained data and the update data is when the environment of the multifunction device 100 changes. For example, the default gateway address set in the multifunction device 100 is changed. It may be time, or the proxy server set in the multifunction device 100 may be changed.

  If neither the default gateway address nor the proxy server is set, it can be set when the setting of the IP address of the multifunction device 100 is changed.

  The information change detection unit 152 confirms whether or not the changed part of the retained data is an IP address (step S12). If the changed part is an IP address (step S12: Yes), the default gateway and proxy are set. It is confirmed whether it has been done (step S13).

  If the default gateway and proxy are set (step S13: Yes), the first confirmation unit 153 transmits an instruction to inquire the global IP address to the inquiry server 400. If the default gateway and proxy are not set (step S13: No), the process ends because an inquiry request cannot be made.

  Upon receipt of the instruction from the information change detection unit 152, the first confirmation unit 153 transmits a global IP address inquiry request to the inquiry server 400 via the communication unit 151 (steps S14 and S30).

  The inquiry server 400 that has received the inquiry request by the communication unit 402 connects to the whois server, which is an external institution, and searches by the control unit 401 to acquire the global IP address of the multifunction device 100, and the acquired global IP address is the multifunction device. It transmits to 100 (step S31).

  The second confirmation unit 154 transmits the global IP address of the MFP 100 acquired by the first confirmation unit 153 to the IP address management server 500 via the communication unit 151, and makes an inquiry request for the domain name (steps S15 and S32). ).

  When the communication unit 501 of the IP address management server 500 receives the global IP address transmitted from the MFP 100 together with the inquiry request, the communication unit 501 acquires the domain name corresponding to the global IP address from the storage unit 502 and acquires the acquired domain name. Is transmitted to the multi-function device 100 (step S33).

  Here, the IP address notification unit 157 notifies the global IP address received from the inquiry server 400 by the second confirmation unit 154 to the connection source to which the multifunction peripheral 100 is connected via a LAN or the like.

  The license management unit 155 accesses the license management server 300 using the domain name acquired from the IP address management server 500 (step S16). If the access is possible (step S16: Yes), the domain name change detection unit 158 checks whether the domain name of the MFP 100 is the same as the data held by the license management server 300 (step S18). .

  If they are the same (step S18: Yes), the license management unit 155 determines that the license status is valid, and permits the use of the multifunction device 100 as it is.

  On the other hand, returning to step S18, if the domain name change detection unit 158 determines that the domain names are not the same (step S18: No), the license management unit 155 invalidates the license state of the multifunction peripheral 100. (Step S19).

  When the license status of the multifunction peripheral 100 is invalidated, the license status notification unit 156 notifies the license management server 300 that the license status is invalid via the communication unit 151 (steps S20 and S34).

  Returning to step S16, if the license management server 300 cannot be accessed with the domain name acquired from the IP address management server 500 (step S16: No), the license management unit 155 puts the license of the MFP 100 into a temporary use suspended state. (Step S17).

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the owner of the multifunction device is changed by comparing the update data with the retained data in the setting information table of the multifunction device, and grasping the change of the information specifying the licensee. In this case, it is possible to manage licenses of software installed in the multifunction peripheral.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the configuration of the MFP 700 according to the second embodiment. The configuration of the MFP 700 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram for explaining the configuration of the MFP 700 according to the second embodiment. The license management control service 731 includes a communication unit 151, an information change detection unit 152, a first confirmation unit 153, a second confirmation unit 754, a license management unit 155, a license status notification unit 156, and an IP address notification unit. 157 and a registered name change detection unit 758.

  In the first embodiment, the second confirmation unit 154 makes an inquiry request for the domain name of the MFP 100, and the domain name change detection unit 158 determines the identity of the domain names of the retained data and the update data, and detects the change. did.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the second confirmation unit 754 makes an inquiry request for a registered name indicating the licensee of the multi-function device 700, and the registered name change detection unit 758 determines the identity of the registered names of the retained data and the update data. To detect changes.

  Next, configurations and functions of the second confirmation unit 754 and the registered name change detection unit 758 will be described. Note that the configuration and function of each part other than the second confirmation part 754 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The second confirmation unit 754 transmits the global IP address of the MFP 100 received from the inquiry server 400 to the IP address management server 500 via the communication unit 151, requests an inquiry for the registered name of the MFP 100, and manages the IP address. A registered name notification is received from the server 500.

  The registered name change detection unit 758 compares whether or not the registered name received by the second confirmation unit 754 is the same as the registered name registered in the stored data of the setting information table. It is determined that the name has been changed, and a change in the registered name is detected.

  Next, a procedure of license management processing by the multi-function device 700 will be described. Note that FIGS. 5 and 6 shown in the first embodiment are used for a flowchart and a sequence diagram showing a procedure of a license management process by the multi-function device 700.

  Further, the processing from step S10 to step S14 shown in FIG. 5 is the same in the present embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S15, the second confirmation unit 754 transmits the global IP address of the multifunction peripheral 100 acquired by the first confirmation unit 153 to the IP address management server 500 via the communication unit 151, and makes an inquiry request for the registered name. (Steps S15 and S32).

  When the communication unit 501 of the IP address management server 500 receives the global IP address transmitted from the MFP 100 together with the inquiry request, the communication unit 501 acquires a registered name corresponding to the global IP address from the storage unit 502 and acquires the registered name Is transmitted to the MFP 700 (step S33).

  The license management unit 155 accesses the license management server 300 with the registered name acquired from the IP address management server 500 (step S16). If access is possible (step S16: Yes), the registered name change detection unit 758 confirms whether the domain name of the MFP 700 is the same as the data held by the license management server 300 (step S18). .

  If the registered name change detection unit 758 determines that the license names are the same (step S18: Yes), the license management unit determines that the license status is valid, and permits the use of the MFP 100 as it is.

  On the other hand, returning to step S18, if the registered name change detection unit 758 determines that the registered names are not the same (step S18: No), the license management unit 155 invalidates the license state of the multifunction peripheral 100. (Step S19).

  When the license status of the MFP 700 is invalidated, the license status notification unit 156 notifies the license management server 300 that the license status is invalid via the communication unit 151 (steps S20 and S34).

  Returning to step S16, if the license management server 300 cannot be accessed with the registered name acquired from the IP address management server 500 (step S16: No), the license management unit 155 puts the license of the multifunction peripheral 100 into a temporary use suspended state. (Step S17).

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the owner of the multifunction device is changed by comparing the update data with the retained data in the setting information table of the multifunction device, and grasping the change of the information specifying the licensee. In this case, it is possible to manage licenses of software installed in the multifunction peripheral.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the license management system 2 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the license management system includes an information processing apparatus 200, a license management server 300, and a software distribution server 400, which are connected via a network 80 such as the Internet. A firewall 90 is provided between the information processing apparatus 200 and the network 80. In the information processing apparatus 200, a plurality of multifunction peripherals 800 a, 800 b, and 800 c (hereinafter, an unspecified multifunction peripheral is simply referred to as a multifunction peripheral 100) is connected to a network different from the network 80, such as a LAN.

  The firewall 90 monitors data flowing on the boundary with the outside so that a third party who has entered the information processing apparatus 200 through an external network such as the Internet does not perform fraud, and detects and blocks unauthorized access.

  The multi-function devices 800a, 800b, and 800c are devices having a plurality of functions such as copying, faxing, and printers, and are connected to the information processing device 200 through a local network. In the software distribution system of the present embodiment, three multifunction devices 800a, 800b, and 800c are connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one, two, or four or more multifunction devices are connected. It is good also as a structure which connected.

  In addition, an application composed of a plurality of components is installed in the multi-function device 800, and the multi-function device 800 stores the structure of the component as software configuration information.

  The information processing apparatus 200 is an apparatus that mediates processing performed between the inquiry server 400, the IP address management server 500, the license management server 300, and the multifunction peripherals 800a, 800b, and 800c. Specifically, the global IP address notified by the inquiry distribution server 400 is transmitted to the multifunction devices 800a, 800b, and 800c, or a license file for software managed by the license management server 300 is requested, and the multifunction device 800a, It transmits to 800b and 800c. Here, the license file is data in which a software license is described.

  Note that the configurations and functions of the inquiry server 400 and the IP address management server 500 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram for explaining the configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment. As shown in this figure, the information processing apparatus 200 includes an input control unit 201, a display control unit 202, a communication unit 151, an information change detection unit 152, a first confirmation unit 153, and a second confirmation unit 154 ( Alternatively, the second confirmation unit 754), the license management unit 155, the license status notification unit 156, the IP address notification unit 157, the domain name change detection unit 158 (or the registered name change detection unit 758), and the HDD 210 Mainly provided, the input device 220 and the display device 230 are connected.

  The display control unit 202 displays the setting information table of the multi-function device 800 and the change items detected by the information change detection unit 152 on the display device 230. In addition, the input control unit 201 accepts a setting information change input by the user from the input device 220.

  Note that the configuration and function of each unit other than the display control unit 202 and the input control unit 201 are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, the license management process by the information processing apparatus 200 performs the process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the owner of the multifunction device is changed by comparing the update data with the retained data in the setting information table of the multifunction device, and grasping the change of the information specifying the licensee. In this case, it is possible to manage licenses of software installed in the multifunction peripheral.

  The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM, an external storage device such as an HDD 210 and a CD drive device, and a display device such as a display device. And an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  The license management program executed in the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or the like. The program is provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Further, the license management program executed by the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Further, the license management program executed by the information processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Further, the license management program according to the present embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The license management program executed by the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes the above-described units (the input control unit 201, the display control unit 202, the communication unit 151, the information change detection unit 152, the first confirmation unit 153, and the second check unit). The module configuration includes a confirmation unit 154, a license management unit 155, a license status notification unit 156, an IP address notification unit 157, and a domain name change detection unit 158). As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) stores the above information. By reading the license management program from the medium and executing it, the above units are loaded onto the main storage device, and the input control unit 201, display control unit 202, communication unit 151, information change detection unit 152, first confirmation unit 153, first confirmation unit 153, 2 confirmation unit 154, license management unit 155, license status notification unit 156, IP address notification unit 57, the domain name change detection unit 158 are generated on the main memory.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripherals 100, 700, and 800 according to the first to third embodiments. As shown in the figure, the multifunction peripherals 100, 700, and 800 have a configuration in which the controller 10 and an engine unit (Engine) 60 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) bus. The controller 10 is a controller that controls the entire MFPs 100, 700, and 800 and controls drawing, communication, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 60 is a printer engine that can be connected to a PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a one-drum color plotter, a four-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 60 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.

  The controller 10 includes a CPU 11, a north bridge (NB) 13, a system memory (MEM-P) 12, a south bridge (SB) 14, a local memory (MEM-C) 17, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 16 and hard disk drives (HDD) 103 and 210, and the north bridge (NB) 13 and the ASIC 16 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 15. The MEM-P 12 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12b.

  The CPU 11 performs overall control of the multifunction peripherals 100, 700, and 800. The CPU 11 includes a chip set including the NB 13, the MEM-P 12, and the SB 14, and is connected to other devices via the chip set.

  The NB 13 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 11 to the MEM-P 12, SB 14, and AGP 15, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 12, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 12 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a memory for drawing a printer, and the like, and includes a ROM 12a and a RAM 12b. The ROM 12a is a read-only memory used as a program / data storage memory, and the RAM 12b is a writable / readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, or the like.

  The SB 14 is a bridge for connecting the NB 13 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB 14 is connected to the NB 13 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 16 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 15, the PCI bus, the HDDs 103 and 210, and the MEM-C 17. The ASIC 16 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 16, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 17, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that rotate image data using hardware logic. (Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 60 via the PCI bus. The ASIC 16 is connected with an FCU (Facile Control Unit) 30, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 40, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical Engineers 50) interface via an PCI bus. The operation display unit 20 is directly connected to the ASIC 16.

  The MEM-C 17 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer, and the HDDs 103 and 210 are storages for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms.

  The AGP 15 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card that has been proposed to speed up graphics processing. The AGP 15 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 12 with high throughput. .

  Note that the license management program executed by the image processing apparatuses 100, 700, and 800 and the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The license management program executed by the image processing apparatuses 100, 700, and 800 and the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD. The recording medium may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as -R or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

  Further, the license management program executed by the image processing apparatuses 100, 700, and 800 and the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and is downloaded via the network. You may comprise so that it may provide. In addition, the license management program executed by the image processing apparatuses 100, 700, and 800 and the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The license management program executed by the apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the above-described units (input control unit 201, display control unit 202, communication unit 151, information change detection unit 152, first confirmation unit 153, and second confirmation unit 154). , A license management unit 155, and a license status notification unit 156). As actual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads the license management program from the ROM and executes it, so that each unit stores the main memory. Loaded on the apparatus, the input control unit 201, display control unit 202, communication unit 151, information change detection unit 152, first confirmation unit 153, second confirmation unit 154, license management unit 155, license status notification unit 156, IP An address notification unit 157 and a domain name change detection unit 158 are generated on the main storage device. There.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described by taking an example in which the image forming apparatus is applied to a multifunction machine having at least two functions among a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a printer, a scanner apparatus, and a facsimile apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, the inquiry server 400, the license management server 300, the IP address management server 500, and the information processing apparatus 200 are connected to the Internet, and the information processing apparatus 200 and the multifunction peripheral are connected to the LAN. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the inquiry server 400, the license management server 300, the IP address management server 500, and the information processing apparatus 200 are connected to the Internet, and the information processing apparatus 200 and the multifunction peripheral are connected to a single network such as the Internet. It is good.

80 Internet 100, 700, 800 MFP 103, 210 HDD
151, 301, 402, 501 Communication unit 152 Information change detection unit 153 First confirmation unit 154, 754 Second confirmation unit 155 License management unit 156 License status notification unit 157 IP address notification unit 158 Domain name change detection unit 200 Information processing apparatus 201 Input Control Unit 202 Display Control Unit 300 License Management Server 302, 401 Control Unit 303 License Information Storage Unit 400 Reference Server 500 IP Address Management Server 758 Registered Name Change Detection Unit

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-92600

Claims (12)

A license management server for managing a license and an image processing apparatus connected via a network to a query server for notifying a global IP address in response to a query of a global IP address,
A storage unit for storing setting information of the image processing apparatus;
An information change detection unit for detecting a change in the setting information;
A first confirming unit that, when a change in the setting information is detected, requests the inquiry server for a global IP address of the image processing apparatus and receives a notification of the global IP address from the inquiry server;
The received global IP address is transmitted to an address management server that manages the global IP address in association with the domain name, the domain name of the image processing apparatus is requested, and the domain name is notified from the address management server A second confirmation unit for receiving
A change detection unit that compares whether or not the received domain name is the same as the domain name indicated by the setting information before a change is detected, and detects that the domain name has been changed if not the same When,
A license management unit that invalidates a license of software installed in the image processing apparatus when it is detected that the domain name has been changed;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The second confirmation unit transmits the received global IP address to an address management server that manages the global IP address in association with a registered name, requests an inquiry about the registered name of the image processing apparatus, and transmits the address Receive notification of the registered name from the management server,
The change detection unit compares whether or not the received registered name is the same as the registered name indicated by the setting information before a change is detected, and if the registered name is not the same, the registered name has been changed. Detect
The license management unit invalidates a license of software installed in the image processing apparatus when it is detected that the registered name has been changed;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The license management unit, when the change of the domain name or the registered name cannot be detected, puts the license of the image processing apparatus on hold and temporarily suspends use;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. A license status notification unit that notifies the license management server that the license of the image processing apparatus has been invalidated when the license is invalidated;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An IP address notification unit for notifying the connection source of the image processing apparatus of the global IP address when the notification of the global IP address is received from the inquiry server;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The information change detection unit detects the change in the setting information when the default gateway IP address set in the image processing apparatus is changed as the setting information;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The information change detection unit detects the change of the setting information when the proxy server name set in the image processing apparatus is changed as the setting information;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 6. The information change detection unit detects a change in the setting information when the setting of the IP address of the image processing apparatus is changed when neither a default gateway nor a proxy server is set;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 7. A license management server that manages a license, a query server that notifies a global IP address in response to a query of a global IP address, and an information processing device connected to the image processing device,
A storage unit for storing setting information of the image processing apparatus;
An information change detection unit for detecting a change in the setting information;
A first confirming unit that, when a change in the setting information is detected, requests the inquiry server for a global IP address of the image processing apparatus and receives a notification of the global IP address from the inquiry server;
The received global IP address is transmitted to an address management server that manages the global IP address in association with the domain name, the domain name of the image processing apparatus is requested, and the domain name is notified from the address management server A second confirmation unit for receiving
A change detection unit that compares whether or not the received domain name is the same as the domain name indicated by the setting information before a change is detected, and detects that the domain name has been changed if not the same When,
A license management unit that invalidates a license of software installed in the image processing apparatus when it is detected that the domain name has been changed;
An information processing apparatus comprising: A license management method executed by an image processing apparatus,
The image processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores setting information of the image processing apparatus,
An information change detecting step for detecting a change in the setting information;
When a change in the setting information is detected, the global IP address of the image processing apparatus is inquired of an inquiry server that notifies the global IP address in response to an inquiry of the global IP address, and the global IP address is sent from the inquiry server. IP address confirmation step for receiving the notification of
The received global IP address is transmitted to an address management server that manages the global IP address in association with the domain name, the domain name of the image processing apparatus is requested, and the domain name is notified from the address management server Domain name confirmation step to receive,
The received domain name is compared with the domain name indicated by the setting information before the change is detected. If the domain name is not the same, the domain name change is detected. A detection step;
A license management step of invalidating a license of software installed in the image processing apparatus when it is detected that the domain name has been changed;
A license management method comprising: A license management system comprising: an image processing device; a query server connected to the image processing device via a network; and a global IP address in response to a global IP address query; and a license management server that manages a license. ,
The image processing apparatus includes:
A storage unit for storing setting information of the image processing apparatus;
An information change detection unit for detecting a change in the setting information;
A first confirming unit that, when a change in the setting information is detected, requests the inquiry server for a global IP address of the image processing apparatus and receives a notification of the global IP address from the inquiry server;
The received global IP address is transmitted to an address management server that manages the global IP address in association with the domain name, the domain name of the image processing apparatus is requested, and the domain name is notified from the address management server A second confirmation unit for receiving
A change detection unit that compares whether or not the received domain name is the same as the domain name indicated by the setting information before a change is detected, and detects that the domain name has been changed if not the same When,
A license management unit that invalidates a license of software installed in the image processing apparatus when it is detected that the domain name has been changed;
With
The inquiry server
A remote host IP address obtaining unit that obtains, from an external server, a global IP address of the image processing apparatus that has transmitted the inquiry request when an inquiry request for the global IP address is received from the image processing apparatus;
A license management system. A license management server that manages licenses and a computer connected to the inquiry server that notifies the global IP address in response to the inquiry of the global IP address,
Storage means for storing setting information of the image processing apparatus;
Information change detecting means for detecting a change in the setting information;
A first confirmation unit configured to request the inquiry server for a global IP address of the image processing apparatus and receive a notification of the global IP address from the inquiry server when a change in the setting information is detected;
The received global IP address is transmitted to an address management server that manages the global IP address in association with the domain name, the domain name of the image processing apparatus is requested, and the domain name is notified from the address management server A second confirmation means for receiving
Change detection means for comparing whether or not the received domain name is the same as the domain name indicated by the setting information before the change is detected, and detecting that the domain name has been changed if not the same When,
A license management means for invalidating a license of software installed in the image processing apparatus when it is detected that the domain name has been changed;
A license management program for causing the computer to function as:

Images